Beyond Narratives: War & Conflict

Making Sense of War & Conflict: political economy, society, & psychology

What are the root causes of war and conflict? To begin to understand, we will look beneath the surface and investigate the violent macro systems that instigate, enable, and maintain wars and conflicts globally – such as colonialism, imperialism, and capitalism. But this picture has to be completed by the role of discourse and guiding narratives that reify power structures and weave identities.

As global change accelerates, old guidelines break away and uncertainty spreads – and we are tempted to cling to old stories and group identities to assuage anxiety and reduce complexity. The more disorienting difference and ambiguity become, the more relief is offered by the clarity of “right and wrong”, “friend and foe.” Thus, our need for orientation can fuel conflict and discourses that enable “othering” such as orientalism, islamophobia, and unconscious biases.

If we seek to catalyse change, we must look closely to understand how adversarial frames originate in our daily interactions. To break down the – often overwhelmingly complex – drivers of war and conflict, this course presents sensemaking as a scientific framework that bridges the global and the personal. We will engage conflict practically, drawing from mindfulness practice and approaches such as non-violent communication and circle processes. Personal experience as well as case studies of modern conflicts and real-life work will be woven throughout to apply new knowledge, which may include policing, border politics, and refugees.